Gathland State Park

Had cell signal half the time. Harpers Ferry town was pretty crowded and AT&T is basically the only serviceable cell provider there but the Appalachian Trail was great and not that difficult at all just fairly long. Not too scenic though until you hike next to the Potomac. The bike path is great for this.

A small historical park with very unique historical landmarks and beautiful scenes. A lot of parking space. Very clean and well maintained!

Lots of history to learn. Had a great 7 mile hike. Nice drive to get there. Not terribly crowded

Beautiful structures they don’t have a bathroom open during the winter but they have portable bathrooms. The drive here is beautiful and they have many breweries and wineries to check out.

Unique writer of his times, contemporary with Samuel Clemens. One person who didnt even occupy his own mausoleum. What good is it if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul?

Small, out of the way historic park. Clean restrooms, picnic area, and lots of parking. Plus, historic ruins. Very nice and quiet. For some reason the cars actually slow down when coming up to the park.

I came here on a beautiful January morning to see the gate but ended up staying for a few hour. i had no clue that there was so much history here and i was entering a state park. if i had more time to send i would of done some hiking. if you are looking for a nice place to have a picnic lunch, site seeing on the civil war trail this is an excellent place to start you day.

Amazing place to visit. Or hike the Appalachian trail. Goes straight through the park.

Really beautiful grounds. Well maintained. Ample parking, great historical information, and easy to walk around.

A fun little place to stop by on a trip to learn about our history!

Great access point for day hikes, plenty of parking and well marked trails.

Love this place and area. Its nice to come when you just need to get away but not have to go very far. Even with it being a state park or does not cost anything to park and enjoy the outdoors for the day.

Clean and well kept historical park. Beyond the monument there is a battle field trek that is pretty interesting but easily overly looked.

This is a pretty little park, would be a great place to spend a family picnic or a birthday party for kids. Theres not much to see though. If youre looking for a battleground park with loads of history, there are bigger and more interesting battlegrounds not too far away.

Facilities could use some updates ... but theres a great spigot for AT hikers!

Great for history buffs. Civil war memorial to war correspondents. Appalachian trail runs thru the park that has a covered pavilion. Plenty of parking. Many informative placards on civil war movements of troops. Stone home and outbuildings and barn structure that is falling down.

A convenient park with direct access to the Appalachian Trail both north and south.

What a special place. A jewel of a park. A must see surprise if you are visiting Harpers Ferry. Its about 8 miles away. My wife and I spent a peaceful afternoon have a old fashion picnic on a blanket enjoying lunch. Looking forward to taking in the Gath museum when it opens.

Gorgeous park. Easy access to the AT. And not nearly as crowded as other access points.

The Appalachian trail cuts right through this small park with big history. Cute little towns nearby like a step back in time. Also several wineries in the area. Make a weekend of it!

Quiet place to talk a walk. Saw a snake!

I love the history of this area. Great parking for section hiking the AT. Car was safe overnight.

Beautifully preserved historical Civil War site. Loved sharing it with my boys

Very cleanA lot of great historical information.

Nice walking trail (6 miles). Pleasant. Ample parking spaces.

Always have loved this park. I live nearby and enjoy its beauty.

Pretty historic state park on the Appalachian Trail

Beautiful monument and the grounds are so well kept.

Very beautiful Arch monument at the entrance. Plenty of civil way history with nice, well maintained placards. Nice spot to enter AT for 2 potential day hikes. Twelve mile round trip to Weverton Cliffs and probably 10 miles to White Rocks. Nice public restrooms onsite.

Great place for a hike and access to the AT

Loved our first visit. Be sure to brung bug spray!

It is scenic, quiet, and beautiful.

Loved the moment. Take time to look and read the signs. Theres a lot to see in such a nice park

Easy to find only a mile from burketsvillle

Nice park. If you are hiking there are flush toilets, water, and a power outlet at the bathroom.

Absolutely terrifying the forest was audibly breathing and the pictures we took in the pitch black turned out to be full daylight

Pretty place trail access for A.T.

Beautiful small park dedicated to the writers of the civil war. Connected to the Appalachian trail where you can find nice little trails. There is a museum there which is cute but has off hours.

So pretty.

Beautiful grounds, nestled along the ridgeline. The war correspondents arch is haunting and poignant. Choose your time of year to visit carefully, as oftentimes things are closed up, leaving just the property to peruse. This isnt a negative per se, as there is much to see. Be careful crossing the road from one part of the property to the next, as the sightlines for traffic are poor and some drivers will ignore the stop sign and blast through there. Expect to see a few folks pass through who are traveling along the Appalachian Trail too.

Easy access to the AT. Some nice history and old monuments and buildings.

Nice park for a quick visit old civil war era structures. Quiet and peaceful.

Beautiful place to visit. A lot of mosquitoes though

Cute little stop on the AT!

I just LOVE the AT and all it offers!We hiked the trail from Gathland State Park south toward Harpers Ferry until we reached the Ed Garvey campsite (which is about halfway to HF). We *might* have bitten off a little more than we could chew, but were also not in the best shape. The hike was appropriately strenuous (Goldie Locks would have liked it) because it has a rocky terrain and hills, but was also forgiving with downhills and beautiful scenery. We took our dog who thoroughly enjoyed it but was definitely ready to get back in the car when the hike was over. The trail is well-populated and well-marked. The campsite is a respite with shelter and campsites; a very rudimentary toilet (but, hey, its a toilet); and a water source (with about a 0.5-mile trail leading to it, so bring plenty of water with you) making it a great place to refuel and either head back to the car or onwards to a hotel in Harpers Ferry. I think I could hike that trail 100 times and never get bored.

Rather an odd place. Site of the main combat in the Battle of Cramptons Gap, but the battle takes second place to a monument to war correspondents. No doubt W. T. Sherman (who despised reporters) would be incensed. He would have a point.

Picnic pavilion, restrooms, history, AND the AT!

This park has several centerpieces of civil war memorials. The markers tell the story of the union and confederate battles leading up to the battle at Harpers Ferry. The Appalachian trail runs centrally through this park. There are public restrooms.

You can do part of the Appalachian trail here. Good parking and bathrooms available on site. There is a memorial related to the civil war as well.

Bathrooms were open, 24 September 2020.

Great piece of history.

Amazing little place full of history!!!

Beautiful up on mountaintop where a Civil War battle was fought. Great archway for War Correspondent memorial.

Nice old park. Well maintained. As a student of the Civil War, the Battle of Cramptons Gap (South Mountain) was part of Lees Maryland campaign. Not much to see and different landscape now versus then, it still helps to see the rough terrain they fought in and give a better understanding when reading about it.

Nice enough park. Good hike along Appalachian trail. Kids enjoyed it. Not the best state park but good for a hike.

Fantastic hiking spot...6 miles to weverton cliffs

Lots of runners.

The Park where the fabled Blair Witch Elly Kedward is supposed to be staying. Great park, great views and great time. The nearby town Burkittsville, previously named Blair, also is a scenic town to venture into as well. Recommended.

It is steeped in history and is a respite on the AT.

Great hike. Beautiful view of the Potomac River. Took about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to complete the hike. Totally worth it!

Beautiful entry to the AT. Been going here for years.

This is a cute State Park to walk through. With lots of History markers and descriptions of battle its also a very historically important spot. Its located next to a campground we normally go to so we frequent here at least once a year.

Great little getaway

Very nice place

This place looked great. Camped and picnicked here when I was young. Wished we could have had more time to explore.

Nice little park with lots of historical markers and monuments, with the AT passing through the site. The museum is well done, but wasnt open continuously while we visited, as staff had to leave and locked the doors.Other sites are open though, including Gaths tomb, barn ruins, and the War Correspondents Monument, which towers over the center of the park.Worst parts? The bugs! Trying to cross the road in the center of the park isnt the best either.Best parts? Fascinating looks into the Civil War, into George Albert Townsend, and the ability to take in a part of the Appalachian Trail.

Very quiet, very historical and very interesting place.

Very peaceful this morning.

Kind of reminds me of stuff you see in Europe.

Beautiful park

Perfect spot to start a hike on the AT.

Interesting history

Excellent parking and trailhead to Appalachian trail North and South. Clean public restrooms, outside faucet. Large pavilion, lawn. War correspondent memorial, Gaths mansion and empty crypt. Civil war battle markers. Our Maryland state parks are awesome! Thanks to everyone who makes this possible and maintains them!

Great area of the trail for those who like gentle slopes.

A nice entry to the AT!

Excellent place to visit, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing

Nice stopover for history. Clean restrooms.

Beautiful spot. Be sure to read about the history while youre there.

Lovely park! Beautiful ruins & buildings.

Nice place to take a break while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Restrooms and water available.

Clean beautiful park, good ability to get on the Appalachian trail

Great place to start or end a day hike on the AT.

Full of history in a beautiful natural setting.

Small historical park with museum. Great for the family.

Lots of history to see!

Love this park! Beautiful scenery, cool trails and interesting civil war history for history buffs, what more could you ask for?

Awesome park, lots of history

Very very nice. and the surrounding areas were as well

I love this place. Quiet. Relaxing. Beautiful. Nice pavilion. Great hiking.

Very nice little area. Great way to relax and spend 1-2 hours learning about some very interesting history.

Some interesting landmarks here. Right on top of the ridge. Some nearby trails you can hike (they are OK). Just some signage and history. Not much to engage with otherwise. The arch/wall is the best part.

A beautiful place full of local history of national importance. You better get a visit in before it gets erased.

Wow what a sweet gem, I had no idea this park would be so beautiful and civil war history that I did not know about.

Cute out of the way spot to stop for a small picnic. Many AT through-hikers stop for a rest in the shaded pavilion. Moderately to not very interesting buildings and ruins abound. A good spot to park and walk a mile or two on the AT.

I came across this park by accident (I was lost and driving around aimlessly). I stopped to see what it was, and am definitely glad I did. There are some really cool historic attractions/information and access points to the Appalachian Trail, which I walked a couple of miles to check it out. Cant wait to return and explore more!

ATTENTION AT Hikers! There is a water spigot here to draw fresh water in case the water source at Crampton Gap Shelter is dry.

Ive only been here while hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Its a pretty nice spot to stop for lunch under the pavilion, take a bathroom break, and fill up on fresh water. The monument is really neat and you should walk around and check out all the historical signs and markers. If you are headed SOBO youre only about 4 to 5 miles from Ed Garvey shelter but the spring there is a real pain to get to, fill up on water here!

Really enjoyed coming here. Lots to see. Hiking is good.

Love this place

Very nice park